South Korea: Coal Imports Up 21% M-o-M in Apr’19

South Korean coal imports have recovered during Apr’19 after continuously falling on the monthly basis since the beginning of CY19.

Data provided by customs indicate that the country had imported 10.92 MnT in Apr’19, rising 21% on the month from 9 MnT in Mar’19. However, coal volumes had decreased by the identical rate on the yearly basis as against 13.9 MnT in Apr’18.

Since the inauguration of the new government in 2017, there have been a range of measures to reduce coal consumption in the power sector, which have significantly lowered the coal imports into the country.

During the first 4 months of CY19 (Jan’19-Apr’19), South Korean coal imports have totaled 45.72 MnT, down 11% Y-o-Y from 51.32 MnT in the corresponding period of CY18.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
South Korean import of non-coking coal rose 25% M-o-M to 8.21 MnT in Apr’19 compared with 6.55 MnT in Mar’19.

Imports of Coking coal increased 20% on the month to 1.88 MnT.

However, intake of Anthracite coal continued its monthly decline, was marked 16% lower on the month at 0.54 MnT in Apr’19.

Source: South Korean customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
South Korea had witnessed an appreciable m-o-m growth in coal imports coming from its major suppliers during Apr’19.

Australian coal export to South Korea increased 6% M-o-M to 3.97 MnT in Apr’19, which was also 14% higher on the year from 3.47 MnT in Apr’18.

Coal supplies from Indonesia jumped 50% on the month to 2.94 MnT in Apr’19, but were 18% lower on the year from 3.6 MnT in Apr’18.

Russian coal exports attained highest monthly total for CY19, marked at 2.17 MnT in Apr’19.

There was also a noticeable rise in coal supplies from Canada and South Africa, which were noted at 0.93 MnT and 0.4 MnT respectively in Apr’19. China, Colombia and US were among the other major coal exporter to South Korea in Apr’19.